Xbox One Should Have Better Launch Availability Than Xbox 360

Whenever a new console launches, there's a chance there'll be a shortage at retail. Microsoft is hoping to avoid that issue with the Xbox One, and promises there won't be quite as much of an issue trying to get one if you didn't pre-order early.

Speaking with Game Informer, Microsoft's Phil Spencer talked about how the company was prepping for the Nov. 22 launch to ensure a better stock at retail.

"You want people to be able to walk in the store and buy one on day one, so you're trying to manage the inventory that isn't pre-sold," Spencer said. "It's not a yield problem, it's us trying to manage the hardware side. I want parents who don't think about pre-ordering electronics to be able to walk in and have a chance to find a box. There might be a line, but I don't want it to be that if you didn't pre-order in September, you can't get one. That doesn't feel like a great consumer experience."

While pre-ordering is still a big part of making sure you are guaranteed a console on day one, there should still be some consoles for those who still haven't made up their minds about whether or not to get an Xbox One on day one.

"Availability should feel a lot better than it did for 360," Spencer added. "If people want to pick up more controllers and games, they'll be there. We feel really good about our pre-order number, and we're managing it through allocation rather than demand. [Pre-order] isn't the business. It's way more important to me what happens when people walk in the store. The business is selling consoles."

Until the Xbox One actually launches, we won't know just how deep Microsoft's stock goes. Perhaps 2013 will finally be the launch year shortages don't affect the first few months of sales.